own child again before
I go! It is so unspeakably sad for me to think that I must go
away from all that is called life--away from sun, and light, and
air--and not leave behind me one single human being who will think
of me--who will remember me lovingly and mournfully--as a son
remembers and thinks of the mother he has lost.

BORKMAN.
[After a short pause.] Take him, Ella, if you can win him.

ELLA RENTHEIM.
[With animation.] Do you give your consent? Can you?

BORKMAN.
[Gloomily.] Yes. And it is no great sacrifice either. For in
any case he is not mine.

ELLA RENTHEIM.
Thank you, thank you all the same for the sacrifice! But I have
one thing more to beg of you--a great thing for me, Borkman.

BORKMAN.
Well, what is it?

ELLA RENTHEIM.
I daresay you will think it childish of me--you will not
understand----

BORKMAN.
Go on--tell me what it is.

ELLA RENTHEIM.
When I die--as I must soon--I shall have a fair amount to leave
behind me.

BORKMAN.
Yes, I suppose so.

ELLA RENTHEIM.
And I intend to leave it all to Erhart.

BORKMAN.
Well, you have really no one nearer to you than he.

ELLA RENTHEIM.
[Warmly.] No, indeed, I have no one nearer me than he.

BORKMAN.
No one of your own family. You are the last.

ELLA RENTHEIM.
[Nodding slowly.] Yes, that is just it. When I die, the name
of Rentheim dies with me. And that is such a torturing thought
to me. To be wiped out of existence--even to your very name----

BORKMAN.
[Firing up.] Ah, I see what you are driving at!

ELLA RENTHEIM.
[Passionately.] Do not let this be my forte. Let Erhart bear
my name after me!

BORKMAN.
I understand you well enough. You want to save my son from
having to bear his father's name. That is your meaning.

ELLA RENTHEIM.
No, no, not that! I myself would have borne it proudly and
gladly along with you! But a mother who is at the point of
death---- There is more binding force in a name than you think
or believe, Borkman.

BORKMAN.
[Coldly and proudly.] Well and good, Ella. I am man enough
to bear my own name alone.

ELLA RENTHEIM.
[Seizing and pressing his hand.] Thank you, thank you! Now
there has been a full settlement between us! Yes, yes, let it
be so! You have made all the atonement in your power. For when
I have gone from the world, I shall leave Erhart Rentheim behind
me!

[The tapestry door is thrown open. MRS. BORKMAN, with the